what is the obama administration saying about this? >> the obama administration has told the contractors it is not necessary to send outlay off notices 60 days ahead of the defense cuts as the law requires. the argument is because there is uncertainty about if the spending cuts will happen and the effect they would have. a top legal expert says that is not following the spirit of the law. >> the administration did not give the specifics required by law as to what plants would be affected and said the act is nullified because of that. the whole purpose of the act is to give workers forewarning and that is what is missing here. if things don't go well, these workers will go over the cliff in the game of chicken. >>reporter: both the president and members of congress are on the campaign trail so the earliest this can be worked out is after the election when the pressure will be on. >>trace: and the clock ticks. some republican lawmakers are not too thrilled the way this is handles. >>reporter: that is right. the administration has told th